Tag Archives: confidence

Just weeks to go until CHRISTMAS is here….. there is still time to find the perfect gift. If you are wanting that WOW present, to give a loved one, or would like to treat yourself, then check out my offers to give you some great inspiration.

INDIVIDUAL STARTER PACKAGES

FULL COLOUR CONSULTATION– Make things easier by finding out what colours look amazing on you. Everything will go together so much better when you know your wonderful pallet of colours. 1.5 hours – £130 (£10 off full price)

STYLE CONSULTATION – Haven’t you always wanted to know what to wear that suits your body shape, to feel confident and look amazing? I can show you how. 2.5 hours – £170 (£15 off full price)

WARDROBE WEED – So many clothes…. where do I start. Let me help weed out the wrong things and leave you with beautiful garments that fit and suit you well. 4 hours – £190 (£20 off full price) – consultation only with previous theory

SHOPPINGTRIP – Let’s go shopping and find pieces that you need for that perfect capsule wardrobe that work together, fit you well and look fantastic on you. 5 hours – from £230 (£30 off full price) – consultation with previous theory

MIXED PACKAGES

CLASSIC – package £300 (£25 off full price)

Theory of colour and style. To understand your best colours, body shape, proportions and to understand which garments work for you.

There are so many different necklines out there… what neckline is best for a small bust?

Here we have a client that I have been working with in Cornwall, Devon. I was asked to go through her wardrobe, clearing out the wrong items and keeping the best pieces that work for her body, personality and age. I love looking at different garments in people’s wardrobes, trying them on to see how they can change the body shape, proportions in a good and bad way.

I wanted to share with you three red tops with different necklines and how this changes the bust and neck area.

My client has a medium length neck is in the age of 60’s and a small bust. She is happy with her bust size, but does not want to make her bust area smaller.

DEEP SCOOP – Here we can see how low the neckline is, which makes the bust smaller. There is too much flesh showing for her age, but does elongate her neck.

2. DEEP V-NECK – Another red top with a deep narrow v-neck. Again this neckline draws down to her bust, making the bust smaller. This is not the best option. It does make her neck longer, which is a nice asset to have.

3. ROUND NECK – This neckline is the best one for my client. The neckline is higher up which makes the best look bigger. The scoop is much smaller, this sits well on the body. Another bonus is showing some flesh, elongating the neck area.

Now we both know what neckline works for my client. Seeing the tops on and showing my client in the mirror makes it real and believable.

To make her wardrobe more interesting, she would benefit with more tops with this neckline in more colours which suit her skin tone.

A few basic good quality jerseys and knitwear will be excellent staple items to form a fab capsule wardrobe. Saving money in the long run and making my client feel confident and walking tall.

My first experience working with Maggi was in a colour consultation workshop with my friend. I wish I had met Maggi in my twenties. She was so generous with her time & advice, so thought provoking & has completely changed how I view myself.

Maggi has a natural way of sharing information without you feeling self conscious. I wish we could have stayed with her all day!

I would recommend Maggi to everyone, especially if you’re having a tough time.

Work with what you have, rather than trying to change yourself is definitely the focus – life changing.

Next stage – can’t wait for our style and shopping workshop in August :))

With Valentines Day just around the corner, it’s time to start prepping the ultimate outfit for your date. First impressions are everything!

Here are my top tips on how to look good:

Ensure the outfit fits the purpose of the date

Select an outfit that suits the occasion. If you are going out in the day that is less formal, then wear an outfit that is smart/casual. If you are going out for an evening meal, then the outfit needs to step up to a more smarter outfit.

Before – my client is wearing an outfit in the day, which is too formal in colour and look. Also the clothes are too baggy.

2. Be yourself

Wear clothes that show off your personality. Image is a form of communication – let your date see who you truly are. Do not choose an outfit because it looks good on the mannequin, or seen on someone else, the outfit needs to reflect you.

Make sure the outfit fits well

There is nothing worse than wearing baggy clothes; looking like sloppy joe. To look good in an outfit, the garments need to skim the body – not too tight or baggy. Whatever your size, show off your shape. It also looks like you have bothered.

After – A great outfit that reflects my client’s personality, is modern and a great fit.

Be modern and up to date

Your date will sum you up in seconds. Ensure that your overall look, including your hair and accessories are modern and up to date. Examples are: a current hair cut, (no hairspray) modern clothes (not from the 80’s) not forgetting the shoes.

Don’t over do it

There is nothing worse than trying to over do it. Wearing a white suit, blingy tie, short red dress, showing lots of cleavage, lots of make-up, and covered in perfume is not a good idea. Your date will be concentrating on what you are wearing (in the wrong way) instead of listening to what you are saying.

After – a great example of an evening outfit. He looks smart, handsome, happy with his lady love. The idea was to slim the top half and shorten his long legs to balance.

Go for kinder colours

Choosing the correct colours for the date is key. If you want to impress your date, it is not a good idea wearing black from head to toe, or wearing harsh, serious colours. You want to come across as kind, approachable and trustworthy – so wearing softer colours like pink, lilac and grey (if you are cool) and off white, aqua and natural colours (if you are warm) will make a massive difference.

Make an effort

Impress your date and think of the basics. I know it sounds silly, but not a lot of people think of little things like: having a shower, washing hair, blow drying and putting some product in to finish off your style. Wearing clean clothes that are pressed and pristine. Smooth skin with applying a moisturiser and light perfume.

Smile and be confident

Stand up tall, look confident and smile. Look at your date in the eye and give them a big happy smile. It’s easy and makes a massive difference. You might be shaking inside, but learning how to calm your body down, breathe and relax will help. Most of all, enjoy your time together and have fun.

If you would like to look fantastic for your valentine, and have an amazing outfit prepared, then let me help with my VALENTINES OFFER.

New Year New You – do you really want another year of dealing with those horrible, anxious feelings when you have to face the task to clear out your wardrobe, knowing what to wear and how to put it together?

Feeling sick, having to look at the shops online and in the high street trying to choose the perfect outfit that makes you feel good and confident but not knowing where to start or what to do?

To have the confidence to be able to do this, is very hard. We all have too many clothes in our wardrobes and there is so much choice in the shops – without the knowledge, it is pretty impossible! It also doesn’t help with how we feel about ourselves – how are we going to look good if we don’t feel confident with our bodies and who we are.

After listening to so many of my clients, I feel this stems from childhood. I am sure you remember other children looking attractive, having the perfect hair, make-up and being the coolest kid on the block. The older we get, this stays with us and niggles away at the back of our heads, coming back with vengeance in certain situations, making us feel that we want to crawl in a ball and disappear.

However, as a young child, we need to remember that we were never taught the basics in self-care, what hair style suits us, understanding our bodies or our unique colouring – nothing about our DNA! We should not expect to know the knowledge of image.

To be able to project ourselves in a positive way for people to take us seriously, to like and trust us – we have to go out there and let others see that we look the business, but most importantly, feel confident inside!!

To be the best we can in our personal and professional life is knowing our talent and being unique inside and out.

To not let these niggly excuses get in the way of others seeing how wonderful we really are. We all feel the same in wishing we could look better – but showing off our assets and looking amazing, opens up a huge exciting world.

Results from a few of my clients…

“Thank you for your consultation with me. You were so sensitive and encouraging. I think you have a real gift for the work you do, helping each of us re-kindle confidence and enthusiasm in what can be a vulnerable area of our lives, often kept very private.

Thank you for helping to re-awaken a more playful and engaged connection with my appearance !” Anonymous client

After working with Maggi on simple rules for style and colour, I enjoyed a shopping trip for the first time in my adult life. Maggi politely and professionally put me back in control of how I look, and I’d recommend her services to anyone. Emma, Plymouth

Below are some offers to help you begin your new journey..

FULL COLOUR CONSULTATION – Make things easier by finding out what colours look amazing on you. Everything will go together so much better when you know your wonderful pallet of colours. 1.5 hours – £130 (£10 off full price)

STYLE CONSULTATION – Haven’t you always wanted to know what to wear that suits your body shape, to feel confident and look amazing? I can show you how. 2.5 hours – £170 (£10 off full price)

WARDROBE WEED – So many clothes…. where do I start. Let me help weed out the wrong things and leave you with beautiful garments that fit and suit you well. 4 hours – £190 (£20 off full price)

SHOPPINGTRIP – Let’s go shopping and find pieces that you need for that perfect capsule wardrobe that work together, fit you well and look fantastic on you. 5 hours – from £230 (£30 off full price)

GROUP PACKAGES

CLASSIC – colour and style £300 (£25 off full price)

ELITE – all packages (£50 off full price)

EXECUTIVE – package (£100 off full price)

GIFT VOUCHERS – are available

Offers end Monday 11th February 2019. This for men and women.

All prices are based in Exeter. Outside area, travelling expenses will be added.

I travel to help people in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Bath, Bristol and London.

An Image consultant help people make the best of their own personal style and Image. They explain, in detail, the colours and styles that suit the individual’s personal colouring (in terms of hair, skin tone and eyes) and body shape. They also offer services such as wardrobe weeding, personal shopping and styling.

They help people with their personal and professional Image. Clients come to an Image consultant because they are in a phase of transition and are looking to improve themselves in some way. This could be related to a career move, to find a soulmate, improve their confidence, separation, bereavement or, to up their game at work.

An Image consultant work well with organisations. They provide workshops and help individuals with personal branding, professional image and impact, non-verbal communication and brand alignment.

What is an Image consultant and why does it matter?

When I get asked what I do for a living, it can go several ways:

The person looks at me blank – has no idea what an Image consultant is.

They come across, looking and feeling confident that they do not need an Image consultant.

Feel totally embarrassed, thinking they are going to be assessed and wish that they made an effort.

Look at me as if they are not bothered. Tell me that they didn’t have time to do their hair and threw on baggy black clothes, because it is smart and that will do.

Assume straight away that a stylist only works with the rich and famous. An elite service that they cannot afford.

Well, let me explain what I do and why it matters. I have a passion for helping people look and feel good and becoming more successful. I genuinely believe that all of us need to see an Image Consultant. We all should be educated to understand who we are, what to do and how to look good.

Once we have the basic skills with how to make the best of our hair, skin, colouring and body shape, it becomes so much easier. The skills that you are taught will be with you for the rest of your life. It will be a huge asset to your personal and professional life. Your confidence will fly, having a positive effect on your well-being.

How much does looks or physical appearance matter?

It matters a lot. As humans, we are inclined to judge others by their physical appearance, as visual information is the first thing we see when we meet for the first time.

We are told that ‘appearances can be deceptive’ and not to ‘judge a book by its cover’. And yet, we cannot help making on-the-spot judgments about people based on what we see.

How you look is incredibly important, now we are in the age of digital communication. In seconds, your image can convey so many things, such as success, status, character, personality, and of course style. Whether you like it or not, people will formulate an opinion about you before they even know you, solely based on what you are wearing and how you carry yourself.

An image consultant will help you match your unique self on the inside, creating an image that you want to present to the outside world.

Simply put, an image consultant will help you to create a positive brand and a strong professional image.

My ‘passion in life’ is to teach people how to look good, feel confident and be more successful.

The reason I feel so strongly about helping people is, when I was a young child, I had no confidence, my looks were described as ‘ugly’, and my success was nil.

A shy, thin, naïve girl that had few friends, suffered from alopecia, was bullied by many, and did not have the confidence to have a voice and say no.

As a result, growing up was a challenge, having little knowledge with the outside world. I did everything I could to better myself, to become a successful person who was talented, liked, confident and attractive. Along the way, due to my lack of confidence and knowledge, I attracted the wrong people.

Thankfully, it all turned around in my forties. My newfound confidence shifted my world, my career, my health and my relationships. After years of education, discussion and practice, I would like to share with you my 8 top tips on how to be confident.

1. Be your unique self

This is one of the most important things to get right. Finding out who you are, is crucial to your look. We want to show off your personality, your quirks and your style.

We tend to copy others to look amazing, and realise it doesn’t work on us. Why copy others, when we have amazing traits ourselves?

Write a list of your authentic strengths, qualities and values.

What is unique about you?

To help you do this, ask your close friends, colleagues or family to give you three words to describe your personality. You probably, will be surprised with what they come back with. It boosts your confidence with what they come back and say; you will be surprised and feel good.

Another example, would be to be in a room of people – go out of the room for 10 mins – what would you like them to say about you?

Once you have the words that relate to who you are, you then match them on the outside with your image. By doing this, you will feel comfortable with what you are wearing and feel confident to be YOU!

2. Realise you are not alone

I have helped hundreds of people with their image. When I speak to them for the first time, this is what they tend to say…

I never knew how to look good when I was younger, or how to do my hair and never wore make-up because I didn’t know how to

I bumble along, not knowing what to wear or how to look, so I play safe and wear my jeans and a top. It doesn’t matter, as no-one sees me

I feel stuck in a rut, I need help; I am hopeless

I don’t know what to choose in the shops, or know what suits me – I feel frustrated, and go home with nothing

I feel plain and boring – I want to change

I want to find out who I am, but I don’t know how

I would like to know what suits my body and colouring

I hate my body and am not the most attractive

I get up in the morning and say to myself “I don’t what to wear”

The majority of people, lack in confidence. This is due to the lack of knowledge and know how.

What I say to people is… “I hear this all the time”.

We were not educated when we were younger on how to apply make-up, how to wash our hair, how to come across, what suits our colouring and how to make the best of our body.

Don’t feel upset and lose confidence over this. We didn’t have the knowledge and education to understand what to do. We all feel the same. We all hate something about ourselves, it is normal.

3. Show off your assets

We all have good areas in our bodies. Have a good look at yourself and make a list of what they are. To begin with, you will find this difficult, but as your confidence grows, the list will get longer.

For example –

If you have good teeth or a smile, let people see and smile more.

If you have amazing legs, show them off wearing a lighter colour, make them longer by wearing the same colour shoes as trousers.

If you have great hair, make that your asset.

If you have a good figure, wear fitted clothing to show it off.

If you have gorgeous eyes, let people see them.

Whatever your assets are, don’t be afraid to show them off. When people notice, this will affect your confidence.

4. Don’t hide

Due to not being confident, the first thing we want to do is hide. Our confidence will not grow, until we go out of our comfort zone and show ourselves to the world.

This could be wearing baggy clothes, hiding behind our hair and wearing dark clothing. By doing this, we are not showing off our lovely personalities, faces and bodies.

Let’s think of the basics – wear clothes that fit you well. Ensure you have cleaned your face and body with a good cleanser and moisturiser. Wear simple make-up ladies. Your hair should be clean, cut well, excellent condition and coloured by an expert.

5. Understand your body

We all have unique bodies that are different shapes, sizes and lengths. To make the best of yourself and to feel confident, you need to understand your own body.

This would be:

To know if you have shortness or length and to know how to balance out your bodies to look the best when choosing an outfit.

To know your body shape to understand what cuts, fabrics and finishes to go for to make the best of your body.

To know where you are going right and wrong with your clothing choices and how to move forward correctly.

To know what garments work for your personality to show yourself off, again boosting your confidence.

Having this information has made a massive difference to my confidence. When you are not confident you are indecisive, which is so frustrating inside. When you have been educated, and go by your own personal rules, things are much easier and clearer to make decisions.

6. Wear colours that make you look young, fresh and radiant

Colour has a huge effect on our appearance and confidence. When you wear the wrong colour, it can make you look sad, grumpy and unsure about yourself. People can run a mile if you are looking aggressive or untrustworthy.

Understanding your dominant colour characteristics, makes a massive difference to your confidence, look and the way you are perceived.

Example –

If you have light hair eyes and skin, wear light colours

If you have dark hair, eyes and skin, wear darker colours

If you have some brightness to your hair and skin – wear bright colours

If you look muted and soft within your skin – wear softer colours

If you have yellowy coloured skin, wear gold accessories

If you have cool, pinky coloured skin, wear silver accessories

I am giving you the basics of colour analysis. The best thing would be to have your colours analysed for you to look approachable and attractive to others, as well as feeling great yourself.

7. Body language

When you are not confident, you hold your head low and find it difficult to look at people.

Go out of your comfort zone and try these things:

Smile – people like being smiled at, it makes you feel good

Eye contact – try and look at people in the eye. Maintaining eye contact shows confidence

THAT HAS SO MANY SKILLS

AND I AM READY TO CONQUER THE WORLD

“Thank you for your consultation with me. You were so sensitive and encouraging. I think you have a real gift for the work you do, helping each of us re-kindle confidence and enthusiasm in what can be a vulnerable area of our lives, often kept very private.

Thank you for helping to re-awaken a more playful and engaged connection with my appearance !”

If you wish to know more, then I would be excited to help boost your confidence.

“Thank you for your consultation with me. You were so sensitive and encouraging. I think you have a real gift for the work you do, helping each of us re-kindle confidence and enthusiasm in what can be a vulnerable area of our lives, often kept very private.

Thank you for helping to re-awaken a more playful and engaged connection with my appearance !”

It has been the busiest year with taking people shopping. Men and women wanting to have clothes in their wardrobes that they can wear with confidence, that fit them, enhance their bodies, show off their amazing colouring and their unique personality.

This is an area of expertise that I have mastered and enjoy very much. Finding the perfect garment, shoe or accessory is like winning the lottery. How one thing can change a person for the better is something that you cannot describe.

Without hesitation, I would normally take my clients to Bath, Bristol and London for more choice. However, this is sometimes not practical for my client, so more recently have been shopping in Exeter and have been surprised at the things I have found.

My aim always, is to take clients shopping to places that they have not been in before. It makes the day more interesting and encourages them to come out of their comfort zone.

Here are some places that I would like to share with you that I have been impressed with….

The idea of this particular shopping trip was to find some pieces for my client’s Autumn/Winter wardrobe. Coats, knitwear and trousers and jewellery were priority.

Jigsaw – High street and John Lewis

A modern, contemporary brand that suits a lot of women’s classic/natural style with good quality, fabric and colours.

If you would like to modernise yourself, then this shop is definitely worth a try.

Here we picked up some mid grey jeans, that worked with her colouring and other pieces in her wardrobe.

A great fit, slight stretch and mid rise.

Finisterre – 57 High Street, Exeter

This is a shop that I have been walking by for ages. You need to go in and have a look. When you understand the brand and their values, you appreciate how excellent the clothing is.

A shop for men and women that caters well if you are an outdoor person wanting warm, practical clothing that will protect you against all weathers.

My client does a lot of hiking and needed a lightweight waterproof coat with a hood. I was so impressed with the staff’s product knowledge. They knew every detail about the garment, which is very rare, sadly in the retail industry. The companies I trained with back in the 80’s, were insistent you knew everything about the product/brand before assisting clients; this to me is very important.

I kept asking questions, and the lady answered everyone with confidence. They even have a wash and reproof service to maintain the coat at little cost.

I also like the fact that the director started the company in Cornwall and the head office is still based there.

As well as my client’s needs, I am also looking for the best colour to make her look young and fresh, ensuring the coat is the correct length, the cut and fit works for her body shape, and aware of her proportions and height…. Perfect!

Crystals – 14 Gandy Street

A hidden gem that I always look in. This is a place where you need to have a good eye to pick out that amazing piece to finish off your look. They have lots of unique stones in all different colours and shapes which is very interesting.

For my client, I was looking for an angular, medium sized stone, based in silver with a gemstone that was soft and muted to go with a lot of her outfits. After asking, they brought out a box of hidden pieces; I found just what I was looking for.

A beautiful labradorite stone…. a unique statement piece.

As you can see from the photo, a wonderful one off that my client now wears all the time. She wore no jewellery before, due to lack of knowledge and no how.

The most important thing when working with a client, is to find out who they are. This takes a lot of practice, however, when you have it, it is gold! Once you have this mastered, you can go anywhere and find something, that is them to a tee.

Orvis – Barbour Outlet Cathedral Close

Another shop that my clients have walked by.

So many people say to me…. but there is nothing out there that fits me. Where do I go to find….

Well, you need to go in to these places and take a look!

On our list was a lightweight jacket that had to be stylish for day wear, modern, classic and simple.

Everything was perfect for my client, she looked great. Even better, upstairs in the section of Barbour, it is an outlet, so was a good price.

An excellent quality classic that will never date.

I also saw a gilet in her size and colour. This is a great piece to wear now for the in between weather that keeps your body warm, but not too hot.

Something that she would not consider, but after trying, absolutely loved it.

Whilst my client was purchasing her coats, looking with my beady eye, what did I find…. 1 pair of blue moleskin trousers in her size in the sale!!

The fit is fantastic. My client’s original jeans were old fashioned and not a great fit. She has a great figure, and needs to show it off. So many people wear jeans and a jumper. They desperately want to get away from this, but they don’t know how.

Moleskin trousers are beautiful, classic, different and warm, which works well in the chilly days. I liked them so much, after doing an online shopping for the missing pieces, I found the same trouser on line in another soft colour that will go with the ideal capsule wardrobe.

Edinburgh Woolen Mill – Cathedral Close

Yes, this shop sadly is still dated, but has good priced cashmere jumpers with unusual different colours and necklines. Marks & Spencer is not only the place for cashmere.

I was looking for a beautiful v-neck cashmere jumper with a fresh colour to liven up her winter wardrobe. Again, I found it!

This blue is fantastic against her skin tone and her gorgeous blue eyes. It also matches well with the barbour coats above and other items in her wardrobe. I love it!

While I was there, I found a wonderful cashmere scarf with a modern check with colours that worked with the coats and the jumper. Not only is the check on trend this season, but also complements her angular facial features; what a find.

John Lewis –

It is brilliant now that we have a modern department store in Exeter. Sometimes, I just shop here with my clients, find what I am looking for and do not have the need to go elsewhere.

Yes, I agree with the majority, I so wish there was more stock in each concession, but it is worth shopping here.

We were wanting a trench coat. This can be worn in the day for a more stylish look, but also can be worn to see clients for a more corporate feel to meet my client’s needs.

There are so many styles of trench coats, which can be tricky. As my client was very classic, she wanted a coat that was very plain, hardly any detail, but also was not too bulky with lots going on.

With the above information, Hobbs, ticked the boxes. Usually, I would not choose this colour for clients, as it does tend to wash out skin tones.

However, the more we looked at the colour; it was right. It had a minky, pink tone to it, which worked so well with her cool brown hair and the french blue tones and grey with clothing.

My client has a straight body shape and is 5ft 5inches tall. The coat is the correct length, the fabric is right for her body shape and purchasing a classic white shirt finishes off the classy look.

Well, I hope this information has opened your eyes when shopping in Exeter. We had such an amazing day and found some great items for the much needed capsule wardrobe. They all work together, and will last my client a long time and will not date.

If you want to hear what my client has said with working with me, take a look.